Selectors right in going for experience (7 April 1999)

7 April 1999

Selectors right in going for experience

Elmo Rodrigopulle

The Sri Lankan cricket selectors have acted wisely in going for experience to defend the World Cup in England beginning next month.

It was the old selection committee of Duleep Mendis (chairman), Ashantha de Mel, T. B. Kehelgamuwa and K. M. Nelson who picked the squad.

In a tournament of this nature and considering that we are the defending champions, all risks have to be cut out and the best possible men sent out to battle to defend the title.

Several youngsters had been given opportunities but none of them came up to expectations. In the circumstances the selectors had no option but to plonk for experience.

The squad of 15 has a wealth of experience and in a tournament where no quarter will be asked or given, it is the experienced men who can deliver and it is everyone's hope that they will do just that.

The selectors have also done well in recalling Roshan Mahanama who was not in the original pool of 19 from which they picked the final line up. With Sri Lanka's fielding in tatters and with Mahanama still one of the best fielders in the country, it was the consensus among the selectors that he be included.

While Mahanama's fielding is still tops, it is his batting that is causing concern. He has still not shed his habit of shuffling across and missing which tends to have him plumb in front. When he shuffles he must remember to watch the ball right on to his bat. To fail to do this will be to be struck on the pads and for the umpire to raise his finger.

However it is fielders of the calibre of Mahanama who can be an example to the rest of the fielders and help to raise their standard of ground fielding and catching.

It is also encouraging to note the inclusion of allrounder Ruwan Kalpage. Kalpage performed well in the recent triangular in India and has deservedly won his place. He too is a brilliant fielder in nay position and should be an asset to the team and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

It is a pity that performers of the calibre of Nuwan Zoysa and Avishka Gunewardena had to miss out. Obviously with Zoysa always breaking down on tour the selectors would not have wanted to risk him fearing a repeat. As for Gunewardena he has only himself to blame. He was given enough opportunities, but did not seem to care to grab these opportunities and cement his place.

Chandika Hathurusinghe must count himself lucky to be in the party. We are not trying to discourage him by saying this. But as an allrounder be has not been performing to expectations abroad.

In English conditions, when batting he must not play half cocked as he tends to do, but must be at full stretch when playing forward or right back.

When bowling in England where conditions favour seam bowling, he must bowl line and length and not be wayward, as he does most of the time.

Now that the squad has been picked, it is everyone's duty to rally round the players and do everything possible to see that we stand out on tour and come back having retained the title won in Lahore in 1996.

The cricketers have it in them to come back with their heads held high. To do this they must firstly believe in themselves and restore their lost confidence and then there will be no reason why they should come second best to any of the other participating teams.

From now on the cricketers will be training hard under the watchful eyes of coach Roy Dias. Dias will have to lay special emphasis on the catching that has dropped alarmingly.

It was the brilliant fielding that contributed to our winning the World Cup last time. Dias must concentrate on this aspect and also instil on them how to play in situations.

Let's hope that the team when they emplane to England will be at their peak and play the way we know they can and proudly bring back the World Cup trophy.

In this aspect the elder statesmen of the team Arjuna Ranatunga, captain and Aravinda de Silva, vice captain have an important role to play and we can count on them to lead their men by example.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)